Archdiocese Removes Two Priests From Ministry

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has removed two priests from ministry over allegations that each—in separate incidents—molested a child more than 40 years ago. The Revs. James J. Collins and John P. Paul were each found unsuitable for ministry. Neither case was related to the February 2011 grand jury report, the archdiocese said.

Allegations against Paul were first made in early 2013, at which time he was allowed to continue preaching, but was barred from unsupervised contact with children, said Ken Gavin, an archdiocesan spokesman.

“The decision to restrict Father Paul’s ministry instead of putting him on administrative leave was based on the information available at the time,” Gavin said in December. “There was nothing there that was leading the review board to believe he was a danger to minors.”

No charges are expected, because statutes of limitations in the respective cases ended years ago.